Tom Robinson Trial Diary Entries

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Recommended: Racial segregation in the justice system

The day I had been asked to serve on the jury for Tom Robinson’s court case was the day I knew things were going to change forever. I had been asked to serve on the jury with many other folk like me. The night I had been asked to serve on the jury, was the night my opinion changed about the case and racial segregation. I also learned that the Finches were truly nice people and I also realized that Atticus was just doing his job by being Tom’s lawyer. That was a long time ago though. I am now sitting in the middle of the jury box, at the courtroom. We had just started the court session and so far nothing major has happened. Since the night I had seen Atticus and his kids at the jail, my views have changed regarding this whole situation. I used …show more content…

It was rather cool outside but inside the courthouse, it was very hot. As I walked in, I saw that many people were already there and seated. A few people were already sweating from the immense heat in the building. Eleven others and I were asked by Judge Taylor to be seated in our jury box. I was pretty nervous and I couldn't wait for the trial to start. The case started with Heck Tate sharing his view what happened. He seemed to struggle answering some of the questions that Atticus was asking him. The case continued on with Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell, and Tom Robinson all coming up to share their story and to be asked questions by Mr. Gilmer and Atticus. By the end of the trial, I could see and sense that many people believed that Tom Robinson wasn't guilty of his charge. Atticus did an amazing job of defending and exposing the truth about Bob Ewell and what actually happened. I the had a small hope that Tom Robinson might actually win the case. As the trial ended, the jury and I were asked to leave and continue on to the back of the court house. There we said our opinions about the case. As we told our thoughts I was astonished. Every man said that Tom was guilty. I was the only one on the jury that said he was innocent. I pleaded to the other men on the jury that he was innocent but not one of them would listen to me. I lost track of time when I tried to convince the men that Tom was innocent but no one changed

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  • Helen Robinson Monologue

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tom said that no matter what happens he would always be with us. Later that night everyone returned home. Rev. Sykes was the first to my house with the results. “ I’m sorry Helen, but the jury found him guilty. He closed his case when he said he felt sorry for Mayella.” At that moment something happened. I felt scared but relieved. Of course I endured deject that the jury found Tom guilty, but now we don’t have to handle the stress about the trial anymore. I thanked the Reverend and started up the stairs to bed. “Helen,” he said “ wait to tell the children.” I did as he said and didn’t tell my children till the next week. I sat all of them down and told them that their father wasn’t coming home for a while. Sam ran outside and into the woods and didn’t come back till supper.He went straight to bed without any food. For the next couple of weeks many of the neighbors came over. Mr.Link Dease offered me a job . One dreadful night Mr.Atticus Finch came over to the house. He told us the guards shot Tom to death. “ He lost all hope. Made a run for it, but the guards shot him before he could get away.” I don’t know what happened right then, but what I do know is that I will never see Tom again. Mr. Ewell came by after Atticus left and said he wasn’t sorry. The next morning a cloud of confusion and dismal co the whole

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  • To Kill a Mocking Bird Newspaper Project

    502 Words  | 2 Pages

    Today in Maycomb County, there was a trail against a local African American man named “Tom Robinson.” He was accused for raping and beating up a white girl named “Mayella.” His lawyer is “Atticus Finch” is facing off against “Mr. Gilmer” the district attorney. Judge Taylor, appears to be sleeping through out the trial, yet pays attention and tends to chew his cigar. The supposed crime occurred in Mayella’s home, when Tom Robinson went to fix something and then he raped her.

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  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Atticus's Closing Argument

    621 Words  | 2 Pages

    As Atticus is wrapping up his speech, he addresses the courtroom about court. “‘A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men that make it up’” (Lee 274), is an appeal to logos because a court is only fair if the people of the jury are fair. Singling out the jury puts more pressure on them to make the transparent decision that Tom Robinson is not

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  • Empathy Quotes In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    In most any case you need to know how to be empathetic. Harper Lee teaches that throughout the book, mostly from the character Atticus Finch, the basic empathy for right and wrong. When Atticus is making his conclusion for the trial of Tom Robinson he says, “this case is as simple as black and white” (Lee 271). While this quote could have many interpretations, to me it seems that Atticus, a man who lives in the small town of Maycomb County, who was considered highly respectful, and kind and was thought of highly in the town, therefore his words were authentic, and truthful. He was put on this case and did he argue, or disagree, of course not. He knew it was going to be an unfair trial, and that he would get large amounts of bad responses from people for taking the black man’s “side”. He simply didn’t care the color of his skin, or what he was convicted of. He found the evidence he needed which most definitely concluded his defendant was not guilty. However when it came down to it in the south during the 30’s there was not a possibility of the black man being right, and the white woman being wrong. It wasn’t even questionable. Nevertheless, Atticus had empathy for the man, so he put time, work, and effort into finding evidence and proving Tom Robinson wasn’t guilty. Most importantly he tried to consider Tom’s feelings, and what he was going through, throughout the whole entire process. He had empathy for Tom

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  • Who Is Atticus's Speech In To Kill A Mockingbird

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his introduction, Atticus cautions the jury to be objective in their verdict, reminding them the doctrine of presumed innocence. He explains, “Gentlemen, I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time with you to remind you that this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant.” His use of the word “but” is cautionary, warning the jurors that there is no place for personal bias in the court and highlighting their legal obligation. Additionally, he employs an impassioned voice in his emotional appeal, drawing attention to the ethical question of the trial. When he states, “This case is as simple as black and white,” he acknowledges the ideological nature of it, expressing distaste for the racial prejudice that brought Tom Robinson under the court’s gaze.

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  • Bob Ewell Bias In To Kill A Mockingbird

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    All the evidence and all the fingers point to Bob Ewell, however, the jury cannot find Tom Robinson due to the racism and bias that is ever present in Maycomb. The town knows the truth in about Bob Ewell. Although nobody will explicitly say it, every person in the town realizes what actually happened the evening of November twenty first. No person wants to be the first to break the mold. Every individual waits for someone else to connect the dots and speak the truth, but because Bob Ewell is white, Tom Robinson is convicted for the crimes. Bob Ewell, even though was never sentenced to jail time, is the second looser in this situation. Although Bob Ewell is never imprisoned, Atticus’s mission is accomplished; the goal was never to prove Tom Robinson’s innocence, that was already clear. Atticus’s goal was to prove Bob Ewell’s crimes. Atticus from day one knows that he has no chance of winning the trial when he says, “Simply because we were licked one hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (101). Atticus realizes that, since Maycomb will not allow Tom to be found innocent, that the enviorment that Tom has been accuses in does not have the open mindedness that would even give a

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  • What Is Sacrifice In To Kill A Mockingbird Sacrifice

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    Almost everyday one decides to sacrifices an aspect of their life, but is limited to only so many on their behalf of their morals. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch and Jem Finch sacrifice their identities, perspectives, well being, and time for their beliefs. The book takes place during the great depression where racism is a normal day to day behavior. Atticus is a lawyer who is assigned to take on a case defending Tom Robinson who is an african american man accused of rape. While knowing that the usual act of a lawyer being appointed to defend an african american, during the great depression, is to not try to defend the defendant at all, Atticus believes that he should give the same amount of effort to defend Tom Robinson as he would to a

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  • To Kill A Mockingbird Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    1246 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tom Robinson, the defendant, was accused of raping and beating a local, white girl. Although Atticus is quite positive his client didn 't commit the disturbing crime, Tom 's race and history are not in his favor. Nevertheless, Atticus proceeds with the trial and skillfully uses persuasive techniques, such as diction, imagery, and tone, and rhetorical appeals to fight for what he presumes is morally right.

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  • 12 Angry Men

    844 Words  | 2 Pages

    My next claim is in regards to the “old man” juror. If it were not for him voting not guilty the second time, the boy would have been found guilty. He said the reason he voted that way was because of that one juror standing up to the other 11 jurors. He felt that everyone needed to hear all of the arguments because they were dealing with a man’s life. Thanks to that man, the boy was saved.

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  • The Characters Of Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    740 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tom Robinson is at the stand being questioned by Mr. Gilmer. Dill starts to feel sick because of how Mr. Gilmer is treating Tom. The narrator explains, “Well, Dill,after all he is just a negro” (Lee 266).This piece of evidence shows that prejudice is used as an antagonist in the novel by giving an unfair trial to Tom Robinson. The quote states “he is just a negro,” which shows that the trial is unfair just because of the towns racial views on people of color. The jury is all white and the case is black versus white. The jury is very biased towards the case. The prosecuting lawyers and defending lawyer are giving their closing statements. Atticus ends with a powerful speech that prove Tom is innocent and his views on race. The jury thinks over all the evidence for a long time and come to a verdict. The author of To Kill A Mockingbird quotes, “Guilty...Guilty...Guilty...Guilty…” (Lee 282). This quote shows the jury is very prejudice. There is more than enough evidence to prove Tom did not rape Mayella and that Bob Ewell beat her. Even though there is enough evidence to proves Tom’s innocence the jury’s verdict is guilty just because of their hate and their prejudice towards African Americans. Ultimately, prejudice is being used as an antagonist is very thoroughly shown throughout the entirety of the

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  • Racism in To Kill A Mockingbird

    549 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tom Robinson’s trial, and in fact his entire life, was badly affected by racism. It is truly a testament to the corruption of society when a person who has earned a bad reputation is held in higher esteem than a person who was born with it, as is the case with Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson. Even though Tom was obviously honest in his testament, the jury sided with Bob Ewell because he was white. They made this decision despite the fact that the Ewell family was widely known to be a worthless part of society. Jem, not being racially prejudiced, could not understand this mentality. As Atticus pointed out, “If you (Jem) had been on the jury, son, and eleven other boys like you, Tom would be a free man.”

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  • To Kill a Mockingbird - Equality

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus is a good man, a just man. He upholds his morals, and judges by his conscience. He is shaken but not moved by the town of Maycomb in their gossip and hypocritical ways. When offered Tom's case, Atticus knows he will take it on. He won't just stand there with no proper defense for Tom, but he will let the truth be known, and prove that Tom is innocent. "...that boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told."

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  • Use of Persuasive Argument in 12 Angry Men

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... believed in the innocence of the young man and convinced the others to view the evidence and examine the true events that occurred. He struggled with the other jurors because he became the deviant one in the group, not willing to follow along with the rest. His reasoning and his need to examine things prevailed because one by one, the jurors started to see his perspective and they voted not guilty. Some jurors were not convinced, no matter how much evidence was there, especially Juror #3. His issues with his son affected his decision-making but in the end, he only examined the evidence and concluded that the young man was not guilty.

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  • The Importance Of Characters In To Kill A Mockingbird

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    So far nothing in the your life has interfered with reasoning process. Those are twelve reasonable men, they went because we were there. There’s something in our world that makes men lose their head’s- they couldn’t be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s white man’s word against a black man’s, the white always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life.”(Lee 224) This trial had taught Jem how to face injustice just like his father “Atticus”. It taught him like if someone had abused him or insulted him for something he didn’t do, how to face it. The trial affected Jem because by this trial it can cause corruption in the world by the racism and segregation. It taught him how to face bigger problems, and worse than getting abused or corrupted.

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  • Helen Robinson´s point of View in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    These injustices have begun long before Tom’s trial, but it is his trial which epitomizes the problems with our society. The first witness was simply just a misguided fellow named Heck Tate who it seems didn’t have much to offer to the case. Next, Atticus Finch called Bob Ewell to the stand. When I saw Ewell take the stand such a fierce hatred rose within me that I began to shake and tremble. Ewell wrongfully accused Tom of raping his daughter Mayella, however, with the grace of God, Atticus Finch had shown that it was very possible that it was Bob Ewell who because he was a lefty could have beat Mayella. If it were not for great men like Atticus Finch I would have lost all hope for this world. As I watched Mayella take the stand I wondered how such a kind looking person could be someone of such poor character. Her words seemed to paint a picture of a sad life; one where a father neglects her and she has fallen under hard times. Atticus, after pointing out it was probably Bob who beat her, asked Mayella who it really was that beat her. Mayella made it clear it was Tom Robinson, upon which Atticus asked Tom to stand. To the astonishment of the court Tom was handicapped! Tom was then called to the stand where he laid open for all to see the truth, explaining that it was Mayella who came on to him (that treacherous woman!). Soon enough the trial ended and every one awaited the verdict of the jury. The next few hours were the most nerve wracking of my life.

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